Cats are very clean animals, they take care of their daily grooming themselves. But, just like us, they can get sick and when they feel bad, the first thing they neglect is their personal appearance. In these situations they need pampering and that we give them a hand in their toilet so they don't feel so bad. We must evaluate several points and consult the veterinarian beforehand.
In our article on our site we will answer the question that many ask themselves in the office and sometimes, desperate because they smell horrible. Can I give a sick cat a bath? We will answer it throughout the reading.
When should I bathe my cat?
Although it is not recommended to bathe a cat, since they clean themselves, in case of being extremely dirty it is recommended to wash to our kitty every 15 or 30 days. Of course, as long as you are in perfect he alth.
Although the ideal is to get a cat used to the bathroom since it is a puppy, we can also bathe an adult cat for the first time, although the experience can be quite a challenge, especially if we are abrupt and do not respect his mistrust of the water. We must remember that the ideal is to get used to them after 6 months of life so that it does not generate trauma and stress for us.
There will be times when they will need a bath such as spilling something on them and it is toxic to them, that they circulate through places with a lot of dust, grease or sand and in these cases, they will need our help if or if.
Following these steps, can I give my sick cat a bath?
Going on to answer the question Can I bathe a sick cat? It is important to note that, as a veterinarian, I absolutely do not recommend bathing a sick cat. sick cat. Let's remember that this procedure causes you a lot of stress and the only thing we have as a priority now is that you recover your he alth.
Cats are much more sensitive than dogs at the level of anatomical innervation of their body, so most of them are not very fond of baths. If they spend energy in a bathroom, which they must save to recover from the illness they have to overcome, we can have a relapse or deepen the physical problem.
Owners who pay close attention to their felines quickly detect that something is wrong due to carelessness in grooming and/or dull fur. The ideal is to go to the vet to evaluate what may be happening, thus avoiding more serious problems. The care that our cat will need will be determined by the professional who evaluates it, but we leave you with a small guide to learn to prioritize:
- Food: this is not the right time to make changes to their diet, unless the disease requires it. We will try to give him his daily food, feed or homemade, in the way that is easiest for him to eat. We do not want you to stop eating under any circumstances. We can include aloe vera in juice to help internally and externally.
- Water: it is important to offer plenty of water and make sure that he drinks it, otherwise we must give him in the mouth with a syringe. Let's remember that this maneuver can stress them more, so the ideal is to do it by their will.
- Rest and tranquility: these will be very necessary for your full recovery. We must promote a warm and quiet environment, without frights, avoiding disturbing him.
Don't forget that…
Once your cat has overcome his illness, you can bathe him. Some cats love water, but it is not the majority, so at first they will feel a reluctance to be wet. It is important to start slowly and as we advance, starting at 6 months of age. Little by little, with great tact and without making sudden movements, which will help them not to suffer from anxiety.
However, if you notice your cat is very stressed, it's a good idea to avoid bathing and use dry-cleaning shampoo or wet wipes/cloths to clean dirty areas.
We will use warm water, with a non-slip mat underneath or if we don't have a wet towel. We recommend using only products recommended by the veterinarian since their skin ph is different from that of humans. After the bath we will dry it as best as possible with a towel. In the hottest months, the bath will relieve them, but in the cold months we recommend applying the dry baths or with a damp towel so that they do not get sick due to the cleanliness and perhaps, a bad drying on our part.
